You've been tracking your health data for months or years—sleep patterns, workout history, nutrition logs, weight trends, meditation sessions. Then you decide to switch platforms: upgrading from Android to iPhone, migrating from Fitbit to Apple Watch, or moving to a new wellness app with better features. One question immediately arises: What happens to all my historical data?
Health data portability—your ability to export, migrate, and control your wellness information across platforms—is crucial for long-term health tracking. This comprehensive guide explores how to switch health apps and devices without losing years of valuable data.
Understanding Health Data Formats & Standards
Health data exists in various formats:
Proprietary Formats: Most apps store data in custom formats optimized for their platform. Fitbit data lives in Fitbit's database, MyFitnessPal in theirs, etc. This creates "data silos" where information is trapped in specific ecosystems.
Standard Formats: • FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources): Medical-grade standard for health information exchange • CSV/Excel: Simple spreadsheet format that most apps can export • JSON: Structured data format used by developer APIs • XML: Older structured format still used by some health systems • GPX/TCX: GPS activity file formats for workouts • FIT: Garmin's fitness data format (also used by many other devices)
Health Platform APIs: • Apple Health (HealthKit): iOS central health repository • Google Fit: Android health data aggregator • Samsung Health: Samsung ecosystem hub
Major Platform Migration Scenarios
Scenario 1: Android to iOS (Google Fit → Apple Health)
Challenge: No direct migration tool exists.
Solution Strategy:
Step 1: Export from Google Fit • Google Takeout (takeout.google.com) → Select Google Fit → Export data • Receive zip file with JSON files containing all historical fitness data • Data includes: activities, weight, sleep, heart rate, nutrition
Step 2: Convert & Import to Apple Health • Use Health Sync app (paid, iOS) to import Google Fit JSON to Apple Health • Or manually parse JSON and use Health CSV Importer app • Alternative: Start fresh on Apple Health and use third-party apps (MyFitnessPal, Strava) that write to both platforms going forward
What Transfers: ✓ Activity data (steps, distance, calories) ✓ Weight and body composition ✓ Heart rate samples ✓ Workout summaries ✗ Sleep data (usually incompatible formats) ✗ Nutrition logs (transfer separately via MyFitnessPal)
Scenario 2: Fitbit to Apple Watch
Challenge: Fitbit deliberately limits data export to discourage platform switching.
Solution Strategy:
Step 1: Export Fitbit Data • Fitbit website → Settings → Data Export → Request data archive • Receive email with download link (takes 3-7 days) • Zip file contains CSV files for steps, heart rate, sleep, weight, etc.
Step 2: Import to Apple Health • Health Auto Export (iOS app) can parse Fitbit CSV files • MyDataHelps (research platform) offers Fitbit to Apple Health migration • Manual import: Use Health CSV Importer for step/weight/sleep data
What Transfers: ✓ Daily steps, distance, calories ✓ Weight logs ✓ Heart rate data (hourly averages) ✓ Sleep duration ✗ Detailed sleep stages (incompatible with Apple Health format) ✗ Fitbit-specific metrics (cardio fitness score, sleep score)
Scenario 3: Garmin to Apple Health
Easier Migration: Garmin is more export-friendly than Fitbit.
Solution: • HealthFit app (iOS) syncs Garmin Connect to Apple Health automatically • Exports workouts with full GPS tracks, heart rate zones, training load • Or export individual activities from Garmin Connect as FIT files, import to Apple Health via Runmeter or WorkOutDoors
Scenario 4: iOS to Android (Apple Health → Google Fit)
Challenge: Apple Health data export is comprehensive but requires processing.
Solution: • Apple Health app → Profile → Export All Health Data → Receive export.zip with XML file • Health Sync (Android app) can parse Apple Health XML and import to Google Fit • Alternative: FitnessSyncer web service synchronizes across platforms
App-Specific Migration Guides
MyFitnessPal Data Export
Nutrition Logs: • MyFitnessPal website → Settings → Export Data → Receive CSV with all logged foods • Can import to Cronometer (better nutrition analysis) or Lose It! • Or keep using MyFitnessPal with new platform (syncs to Apple Health and Google Fit)
Strava Data Migration
Workout History: • Strava Settings → Download or Delete Your Account → Request Archive • Receive all activities as GPX files • Import to Apple Health via HealthFit or Google Fit via FitnessSyncer • Bulk upload to Garmin Connect or other platforms
Oura Ring to New Platform
Sleep & Recovery Data: • Oura app → Profile → Export Data → CSV download • Includes sleep stages, HRV, body temperature, activity • Import to Apple Health using CSV to Health app • Or continue using Oura alongside new wearable (data writes to Apple Health automatically)
Whoop Data Export
Training Load & Recovery: • No official export tool (major limitation) • Use Whoop API (requires developer account) to programmatically extract data • Or manually screenshot key metrics for records
Maintaining Data Continuity Across Platforms
Best Practices:
1. Use Central Health Platforms • Ensure all apps write to Apple Health (iOS) or Google Fit (Android) • Even if you switch primary tracking app, historical data remains in central repository • New apps can read historical data from central platform for continuity
2. Periodic Backups • Export Apple Health data quarterly (Profile → Export All Health Data) • Store exported XML files in secure cloud storage (encrypted) • Consider this your "health data backup" independent of any app
3. Multi-Platform Apps • Choose apps that work cross-platform: MyFitnessPal, Strava, Cronometer, Strong (fitness) • When you switch devices, continue using same apps for seamless data continuity
4. Regular Data Exports • Even if not switching apps, export data from key platforms monthly • If app shuts down or loses data, you have backups • Examples: Fitbit (request data export), Garmin Connect (download activities), nutrition apps
Data Ownership & Legal Rights
Your Rights (US/EU): Under GDPR (Europe) and various state laws (California CCPA, etc.), you have the right to: • Access: Request all data a company holds about you • Portability: Receive your data in machine-readable format • Deletion: Require companies to permanently delete your data • Correction: Fix inaccurate data in company records
Exercising These Rights: Most health apps provide self-service data export in settings. If not: • Email privacy@[company].com requesting data export under GDPR/CCPA • Companies must respond within 30 days (GDPR) or 45 days (CCPA) • If they refuse, file complaint with data protection authority
Tools & Services for Health Data Migration
FitnessSyncer (Web Service): • Syncs between 50+ platforms: Fitbit, Garmin, Apple Health, Google Fit, Strava, etc. • Automatic ongoing synchronization (not just one-time migration) • Free tier available; Premium $3.99/month • Best for: Maintaining multiple platforms simultaneously
Health Sync (Mobile App): • iOS and Android versions • Transfers data between Google Fit ↔ Apple Health • One-time purchase ~$2.99 • Best for: One-time platform migrations
Zenobase (Data Analytics Platform): • Aggregates data from dozens of sources • Advanced analytics and custom visualizations • Permanent storage independent of source apps • $5/month • Best for: Data hoarders wanting permanent, app-independent records
Troubleshooting Common Migration Issues
Issue: Duplicate Data After Migration Solution: Use date range filters during import to exclude overlapping periods. Or manually delete duplicates from Apple Health (tedious but possible).
Issue: Sleep Data Won't Import Solution: Sleep formats vary widely between platforms. Consider starting fresh with sleep tracking on new platform rather than importing incompatible historical data.
Issue: Lost Workout GPS Tracks Solution: Export workouts as GPX files from old platform, reimport to new. Apps like Runmeter and WorkOutDoors support bulk GPX imports to Apple Health.
Issue: Nutrition Data Incomplete Solution: MyFitnessPal exports show foods logged but not always full nutritional breakdown. Accept data loss or manually re-log key meals if critical for analysis.
Future-Proofing Your Health Data
Platform-Agnostic Strategies:
1. Own Your Data: • Regular exports create personal archive independent of any company • If app/service shuts down, you retain complete history • Consider self-hosting data using tools like Apple Health XML parsers
2. Prefer Open Standards: • Apps supporting CSV export, FHIR, GPX are more migration-friendly than proprietary formats • Avoid platforms that deliberately lock in data
3. Distributed Tracking: • Don't put all health data in one app/ecosystem • Use Apple/Google Health as central hub with multiple apps writing to it • If one app fails, others preserve data continuity
4. Documentation: • Keep notes about significant health events, injuries, illnesses outside apps • Apps capture metrics; journals capture context and meaning
Your Health History Belongs to You
Health data represents your life: years of effort, progress, setbacks, and growth. It shouldn't be held hostage by proprietary platforms or lost when you upgrade devices. Exercising data portability rights—exporting regularly, choosing migration-friendly platforms, maintaining backups—ensures your wellness history travels with you regardless of which apps or devices you use.
The best health tracking strategy is one that serves you long-term, not just until the next app or device upgrade.
Lifetrails AI integrates with Apple Health for seamless access to your complete health history: • Reads from 100+ data sources writing to Apple Health • No proprietary data lock-in—your data stays in Apple Health, fully exportable • If you switch devices (Android to iPhone, Fitbit to Apple Watch), import historical data to Apple Health and Lifetrails instantly accesses it • Your wellness insights continue without interruption
Join the Lifetrails early access waitlist and experience health tracking that respects data ownership. Your health history is yours to keep—forever.